Egypt’s Giza Zoo and Orman Botanical Garden are undergoing their most ambitious transformation in decades, with 118 new animal species being introduced as part of a sweeping biodiversity expansion plan. Mohammed Kamel, Chairman of Hadayek Company, said the newly integrated zoo-garden ecosystem, spanning 114 acres, will feature four lions, three tigers, and 362 newly imported animals, all housed in redesigned open habitats aligned with international standards. Kamel emphasized that the project preserves the zoo’s historic character while elevating it to a regional and global recreational and educational landmark, noting that an African Union delegation has confirmed the development plan’s compliance with international best practices.  

180 appeals over parliamentary election results

Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court has now received 180 appeals contesting the results of the first round of the second phase of parliamentary elections. Appeals have been filed across ten governorates, including Cairo, Dakahlia, Sharqia, Gharbia, North Sinai, and Menoufia. The court’s First Circuit will begin examining each appeal ahead of its December 7 hearing, with the law requiring decisions to be issued within 10 days of filing. The National Elections Authority will continue accepting appeals until December 4, extending work hours until 9 p.m. to meet constitutional deadlines. Losing candidates have 48 hours after results are announced to file objections.

Film controversy

A major cultural and religious backlash erupted after screenwriter Ahmed Mourad said during a Marrakech Film Festival seminar that making a film about the Prophet would be “easier” than making one about legendary singer Umm Kulthum. Prominent preacher Mazhar Shaheen blasted the comment as “recklessness and a lack of modesty towards the master of all creation,” insisting that the Prophet’s status should never be subject to comparison. Mourad’s script for the upcoming film “Al-Sit (The Lady)”, starring Mona Zaki as Umm Kulthum and directed by Marwan Hamed, has drawn intense attention . Mona Zaki reportedly arrives five hours early every shooting day to undergo extensive makeup transformations with a foreign crew.

Cairo governor wins Arab Government Excellence Award

Cairo Governor Dr. Ibrahim Saber has been named Best Governor in the Arab World at the Arab Government Excellence Award (2024 - 2025), the region’s highest recognition for administrative and governmental innovation. The award , presented under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, honours exemplary governance practices across the Arab world. Saber received the honour from Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, during a ceremony attended by ministers, ambassadors, and governors. The program aims to modernise government institutions, promote innovation, and highlight successful public-sector models capable of driving future-ready governance.

Agriculture Ministry launches nationwide poultry biosecurity campaign

Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture has launched a national awareness campaign targeting poultry farmers to strengthen biosecurity measures, especially during the winter season when respiratory and viral diseases are more prevalent. Over the past two weeks, veterinary teams conducted 610 field visits to farms and held 451 home-breeding seminars across governorates. Dr. Hamed Al-Aqnas, head of the General Authority for Veterinary Services, said the campaign trains breeders on proper disinfection procedures, controlling worker movement inside farms, preventing wild-bird entry, safe disposal of dead birds and waste and early identification of diseases requiring immediate reporting. He confirmed that the epidemiological situation is stable, with rapid-response teams on standby. The ministry plans to intensify outreach throughout high-density poultry regions during the winter.

The roster of namers included international icons and local celebrities . Among them were:

Michelle Yeoh Todt, award-winning actress and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador; Mathieu Flamini, former Arsenal footballer and climate entrepreneur; Khaby Lame, social media personality with global reach; Princess Ingeborg zu Schleswig-Holstein, philanthropist and artist; Yemi Alade, Nigerian Afropop singer-songwriter; Claver Ntoyinkima, senior ranger from Nyungwe National Park; Brenda Umutoni, ranger at Volcanoes National Park

Their chosen names included Izere (Hope), Rwandanziza (Beautiful Rwanda), Cyubahiro (Respect), Terimbere (Progress), and Cyerekezo (Vision).

Why celebrities?

According to Rwandan officials, inviting global figures to name gorillas is more than a publicity gesture. It sends the conservation message, drawing worldwide attention to Rwanda’s mountain gorillas, whose survival was once in jeopardy.

Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, who officiated the event, called the tradition “an act of love and a public commitment to conservation.” By connecting gorillas with famous names, Rwanda leverages global influence to inspire broader awareness and funding for wildlife protection.

The ceremony is modelled on a centuries-old Rwandan tradition of naming children in the presence of family and community. Rangers and researchers first used the practice informally to track gorilla families before it was formalised into a public event in 2005.

This strategy has led to the creation of 16 new dark sky conservation zones in 2025, where travellers can enjoy views of the night sky without any light pollution.

The new zones are located within several national parks, private resorts and suburban locations, each chosen for its low light pollution and open skies.

Lights in these areas are carefully managed or removed completely to ensure the stars remain visible to the naked eye.

The move seeks to offer visitors a rare glimpse of planets, star clusters and the Milky Way as well as to raise awareness about how artificial light can affect natural ecosystems.

With 48 dark sky areas already designated in the past three years, and 16 more just added, Thailand is positioning itself as one of Asia’s top destinations for night-time nature experiences.

The latest phase of the programme was launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the National Astronomical Research Institute under the “Amazing Dark Sky in Thailand” campaign.

The programme is now in its fourth season.

The announcement was made this week in Bangkok, marking another step in the country’s plan to link tourism with environmental stewardship.

Costa Rica’s tourism sector is witnessing modest growth despite significant competitiveness challenges, as reported by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT). In April 2025, international arrivals rose by 4.6%, yet concerns persist over exchange rate issues, higher costs, inadequate infrastructure, and public safety. Tourism Minister William Rodríguez anticipates an overall growth of 2-4% for the year, while industry leaders advocate for changes to stabilise the economy and improve safety, highlighting the need for structural reforms.

Costa Rica’s farms threaten wildlife

Costa Rica has one of the world’s highest per capita pesticide use . Banana and pineapple farming uses large amounts of chemicals like mancozeb, chlorothalonil, paraquat, and glyphosate—all to maximise production, with little regard for the negative impacts. In the Central Pacific coastal area, palm oil plantations—many replacing former banana farms—dominate the landscape. Palm oil, found in products from peanut butter to shampoo, requires clearing all vegetation, destroying biodiversity in the process.

Legislation to protect marine ecosystems

Independent Congresswoman Kattia Cambronero has introduced a bill aimed at safeguarding Costa Rica’s coral reefs and seagrass beds, addressing threats from pollution and climate change. The bill mandates the creation of a national marine wetlands inventory and establishes protocols for restoration projects. While aiming to enhance marine biodiversity, the legislation is seen as a necessary step amidst challenges, including recent coastal laws that could harm marine ecosystems.

Threat of parasites to howler monkeys

Research by the Awá Science and Conservation Association has linked a bot fly larvae outbreak in howler monkeys to tourism and land use changes in Costa Rica. The findings indicate that habitat disruption from tourism activities is weakening the immune systems of these monkeys, making them more vulnerable to infestations. The study calls for non-chemical solutions and highlights the need for continuous monitoring to protect these species and their ecosystems.

Road blockades amid Chiquita strike

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino is demanding the end of road blockades set by unions representing workers of Chiquita Brands, who are striking over recent layoffs and pension reforms. With 5,000 workers dismissed and significant operational losses incurred, the president’s stance is that the blockades must be lifted permanently to progress with legislative solutions. The situation has led to limited access to crucial supplies in the affected region of Bocas del Toro, exacerbating tensions between unions and the government.

Kazakhstan is experiencing growing interest in ecotourism, with visitor numbers rising from 2 million in 2022 to 2.8 million in 2024 —a 40% increase, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Popular national parks near Almaty, including Ile-Alatau, Charyn, Altyn-Emel, and Kolsai Lakes, continue to attract visitors. To support sustainable tourism, infrastructure such as visitor centres, campsites, and glamping facilities is being developed across 14 parks. Eight modern visitor centres have already been opened, offering insights into ecosystems and promoting responsible travel. This ecotourism growth aids both conservation and local economic development.

Kazakhstan launches first national committee for International Volunteer Year 2026

Kazakhstan has become the first country to establish a National Organising Committee for the International Volunteer Year (IVY) 2026. The committee was launched on 12 May 2025 in Astana, with participation from the government, civil society, private sector, and Toily Kurbanov, Executive Coordinator of UN Volunteers (UNV). The country played a key role in initiating the UN resolution proclaiming 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. The new committee will lead national efforts, promote volunteerism across sectors, and align with the global IVY 2026 vision. “Kazakhstan is turning global promises into real, impactful actions,” said Kurbanov. The move sets a precedent for other nations to follow, as UNV continues supporting IVY 2026 implementation worldwide.

Kazakhstan advances $10 billion industrial projects in key sectors

Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister, Olzhas Bektenov, chaired a meeting on major industrial projects aimed at strengthening the country’s export-oriented chemical and metallurgical sectors. Backed by President Tokayev’s directive, five projects totalling $10 billion in investment are underway, expected to create over 8,700 permanent jobs. In the Abay region, a copper smelting plant with a 300,000-tonne capacity is under construction, generating over 1,000 jobs. Karaganda’s $3.5 billion Qarmet modernisation project aims to boost coal and steel output and create 2,000 jobs by 2028. In Kostanay, a $1.2 billion hot-briquetted iron plant is being developed, focusing on eco-friendly metallurgy and 1,000 new jobs.

Kazakhstan, UAE seal $5 billion in deals at business forum

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the Kazakhstan-UAE Business Forum, reaffirming their commitment to deepen trade and investment ties. Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s economic reforms aligned with OECD standards and introduced the Investment Board to support foreign investors, including those from the UAE. The forum resulted in commercial agreements worth around $5 billion across key sectors. The event featured sessions on digital tech, finance, urban development, and green economy, along with B2B meetings. The UAE delegation included major firms like Masdar, AMEA Power, and Abu Dhabi Ports Group. Tokayev expressed confidence in the successful execution of the signed agreements.

Masdar to develop major renewable energy projects in Kazakhstan

Abu Dhabi’s Masdar has announced plans to develop new renewable energy and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in Kazakhstan, supporting the country's clean energy goals. Partnering with Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund, Samruk-Kazyna, Masdar will explore a 24/7 project to deliver up to 500 MW of baseload renewable energy and 2 GW of BESS capacity. The agreement was formalised in Astana in the presence of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Kazakhstan aims to generate 15% of its electricity from renewables by 2030 and 50% by 2050. Masdar is already developing a 1 GW wind farm with 600 MWh storage—one of the region’s largest. Construction is set to begin in 2026. Masdar CEO Mohamed Al Ramahi called Kazakhstan a key strategic partner and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to energy security, economic diversification, and climate action. Masdar, active in over 40 countries, is targeting 100 GW in global capacity by 2030.

"Seeing all of the flowers in bloom is completely different. It's gorgeous, it's beautiful. Honestly, there are no words to describe how nice it is out here," said Brittany Nichole, one of the many attendees.

Another visitor, Desiree Aleisha, added, "I've never seen anything like it in my life, and it's worth it to come out."

Sonia Paul, a 39-year-old tourist, praised Japan’s deep appreciation for nature and its seasons. "Spectacular is the word," she said. "I love how Japan is so seasonal and celebrates its seasons with different flowers."

She noted the unique ways the park commemorates the wisteria bloom, offering items like scented pillows, keychains, and even wisteria-flavoured ice cream.

Wisterias typically bloom in Japan during May, though the timing can shift based on weather conditions and local climates.